Some populations (e.g. Fiji and Coral Sea) have a black marking on the soft dorsal fin and are sometimes referred to as a different species Centropyge woodheadi, however most taxonomists do no consider these populations to be a distinct (L. Rocha and R. Pyle pers. comm. 2009).

Listed as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution, large overall population, collection for the aquarium fish trade is not globally impacting the population, and there are no other potential major threats.

This species is widely distributed in the central and western Pacific where it ranges east from southern Japan and the island of Taiwan to the Tuamotu Islands (French Polynesia), and as far south as the Great Barrier Reef (Australia) (Pyle 2001, G.R. Allen pers. comm. 2006). It may be encountered at depths of between 8-45 m (Pyle 2001, G.R. Allen pers. comm. 2006).

This species is largely associated with outer coral reef slopes, but may also encountered on shallower lagoon reefs (Pyle 2001, G.R. Allen pers. comm. 2006). Feeds on algae; forms harems of two to four animals (Pyle 2001).

There appear to be no major threats to this species. Although it is sometimes collected for the aquarium trade, harvest levels are not considered to be impacting the global population. There is no substantial habitat loss in the range of this species.